Reusable packaging prevents product loss in supply chain

Good news for users of our trays! Reusable packaging experiences a significantly lower rate of packaging damage in the supply chain in comparison with disposable cardboard-packaging. This is one of the conclusions of a study initiated by the German organisation ‘Stiftung Initiative Mehrweg’ (Foundation for Reusable Systems) in May 2013. In the case of disposable packaging, around 4% of all packaging is damaged on its way to the consumer. For reusable packaging, the figure was just 0.1%. When extrapolated to the current market situation in Germany, it was estimated that around 36,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables, with a market value of some € 68 million, are damaged when disposable packaging is used exclusively. When reusable crates are used exclusively, the estimated wastage is 1,100 tonnes, with a market value of around € 2 million. The research was conducted as a result of the general consensus in Germany that the amount of food wastage needs to be reduced. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics and the Cold-Chain Management Working Group at the University of Bonn did the research.